The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-11
PRETTY NOVELTIES FOR PRESENTS.
Some of the New Styles in Christmas Goods
Displayed at the Stores.

Indianapolis is getting ready for the holidays
as fast possible. The business houses. both
retail and wholesale, have already assumed the
chief portions of their holiday garbs. and an I'M
usually large percentage of people investing
in presents for their friends. There is a joy in
having nice present hidden away where no one
is expected to find it, and yet almost under the
nose Of the person for whom it is designed, that
is very highly appreciated by the generous
donor. How he or she resorts to the hiding-place
when is about. and eloats over the article
which is TO bring pleasure to a friend With
what smiles and chuckIes are the surprise and
delight of the beneficiary contemplated! So it
happens. no doubt. that old children as well as
the little fall into the habit of getting the r
gifts ready well beforehand.
Thsre is plenty to choose from this year. All
arts and sciences seem to have been turned to
the purpose of producing novelties. Books,
pictures. woven fabrics, furniture. clothing,
candies. toys and everything else that the mind
of man hath conceived of are on hand in forms
multifarious. The toy and kpick-knack stores
are especially well furnished. Some OF the nov
elites IN ornaments are very attractive. The
prevalence of metal ornamental work Is espe-
caly noticeable. In brass to be seen broom
cases in unique designs, cuspidors. umbrella
cases, and numerous articles Copper appears
IN elegant aud costly urns and vases. Silver is
having special run in framework and embel
llSnmeub or pocket BOOKS and card cases
The candestick business has assumed q very
extensive character since tapers became the
fashionable lights for swell occasions They are
to be found IN endless profusion Of styles and
materials. "A new feature this year is the
candle-shade, designed nominally to protect
weak eyes from the glare of the candle. Some
of these are in brass and card board. Others,
and very pretty ones are In paper-wofk, shaped
and colored as flowers, giving one an opportun-
ity to get his light from illuminated tulip
cleaning SNOWFALL Perhaps the prettiest de-
al of all eap6la I'M IL fair
lamp" which is hollow sphere of FURNISHED
brass whose perforatons allow the beams OF
light to pass from the taper within.
Featherwork is in beautiful forms. One OF
the most pleasing is found IN the most modern
feather fans on one side Of which are found
feather limitations of flowers, birds and other
few new departments. Two dishes that
likely to stay the sandwich dish and the
bone dish. Each is designed to hold the article
which gives it name. Another novel design is
by metal framework, partially surrounding
them in limitations of vines, etc.
Celluloid has taken every imaginable form,
and very pretty and useful articles of this sub
stance may be found
new foreign production is rubber fruit.
Some of the limitations are excellent, and they
make pretty covers for perfumerv bottles and
similar trfes, but the substance has a horrible
odor which at once gives notice that the fruit ia
for the delectation of the eye only. Christmas
cards even more numerous than usual
There is a tendency with them to banner de-
signs, which be utilized for wall ornamental
ton. Some of these in plush relief work are
very handsome.
The Chinese merchants, as well as their
American confreres, are in preparation for the
holiday trade. Their shops show a gallant
ray of banners, hankerchiefs, china and ivory
dolls and all other trifes that 60 to make up the
Celestial toy store They are not great hands
for novelties, however. and when one store has
been examined the stock for the next season
can be pretty accurately predicted.